Nanostructured ceria-based materials: synthesis, properties, and applications

TLDR

Controllable synthesis of nanostructured CeO₂-based materials is crucial for environment- and energy-related applications, enabling desired morphologies with specific crystal facets and oxygen vacancy clusters that enhance catalyst activity. The review surveys recent technological and theoretical advances in CeO₂-based nanomaterials, focusing on synthesis from one-dimensional to mesoporous structures and properties from defect chemistry to nanoscale effects, and concludes with remarks on challenges and future perspectives. The authors survey seven key application areas of nanostructured ceria, demonstrate new atomic-scale experimental techniques, and use DFT calculations to rationally design highly reactive catalysts and elucidate noble metal–ceria interactions.

Abstract

The controllable synthesis of nanostructured CeO2-based materials is an imperative issue for environment- and energy-related applications. In this review, we present the recent technological and theoretical advances related to the CeO2-based nanomaterials, with a focus on the synthesis from one dimensional to mesoporous ceria as well as the properties from defect chemistry to nano-size effects. Seven extensively studied aspects regarding the applications of nanostructured ceria-based materials are selectively surveyed as well. New experimental approaches have been demonstrated with an atomic scale resolution characterization. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations can provide insight into the rational design of highly reactive catalysts and understanding of the interactions between the noble metal and ceria support. Achieving desired morphologies with designed crystal facets and oxygen vacancy clusters in ceria via controlled synthesis process is quite important for highly active catalysts. Finally, remarks on the challenges and perspectives on this exciting field are proposed.